British Museum – Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum

Mount Vesuvius soars in the distance from the present day ruins of Pompeii in Italy

In 79 AD, the volcano Mount Vesuvius violently erupted, sending hot volcanic ash showering down on the thriving Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum on the Bay of Naples. This created a time capsule that lay undiscovered for 1,700 years.

One of the most famous archeological finds of modern times, the tale of these two tragic cities is remarkable. Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum at the British Museum is dedicated to bring the story to life once again. This ambitious exhibition brings together the artifacts, bricks and mortar and those desolate and now iconic stone casts of animals, adults and children to The British Museum.

Sales of tickets are already the highest of any big exhibition of the past few years, reflecting an ongoing fascination with the lives of the people who suffered at the hands of a colossal catastrophe. Advanced booking online is highly recommended for the Pompeii and Herculaneum exhibition at the British Museum.

Exploring and focusing on domestic life as opposed to city life in Pompeii and Herculaneum, the treasures unearthed from the ruined streets and houses covered in volcanic ash include a fresco from the house of baker Terentius Neo and his wife, a loaf of bread found in one of the ovens and items of furniture. It’s a very human and touching presentation.

400 objects are on display, so it’s a good idea to take a day out and soak up the experience while piecing together the fateful last 24 hours of these two cities. Many of the objects on display rarely leave Italy, and likely won’t be on loan anytime soon, so this is the perfect chance to see some of the most significant discoveries from Pompeii and Herculaneum outside of Naples, Italy. The exhibition runs from 28th March – 29th September, 2013.